He's making a fuss /About a chair.'' Prater's ( No, Said Joe ) striking palette of teals, apricots and periwinkles infuse the illustrations with a genuine warmth certain to attract readers. Vivian French is the author of over two hundred books, including the wildly popular series Tales from the Five Kingdoms.

That doesn't stop her from kidnapping, blackmailing, and using more than a little magic to get.

The sorceress Lady Lamorna wants a skull-studded gown of deep black velvet but finds her treasure chest empty of gold. French is a master of comic understatement, his sing-songy verse serving as a kind of straight man to the bustling illustrations: ``Mom's cleaning windows. Trouble is brewing in the first book of the Tales from the Five Kingdoms series. The sorceress Lady Lamorna has her heart set on a very expensive new robe, and she will stop at nothing-including kidnapping and black magic-to get the money to pay for it. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. Witty details (pigs poring over architectural plans, bears becoming mucked up in furniture glue, Humpty Dumpty turning somersaults on the stone wall) extend the visual jokes. Buy The Robe of Skulls: The First Tale from the Five Kingdoms (Tales from the Five Kingdoms) by French, Vivian, Collins, Ross (ISBN: 9780744583618) from Amazon's Book Store. Buy a discounted Paperback of The Robe of Skulls online from Australias leading online bookstore. Young listeners acquainted with classic nursery rhymes will quickly recognize the game and begin searching for their favorite characters. The Robe of Skulls, The Tales From the Five Kingdoms : Book 1 by Vivian French 9780744583618 Booktopia Booktopia has The Robe of Skulls, The Tales From the Five Kingdoms : Book 1 by Vivian French.

As the book continues, the boy remains by the cottage, but familiar faces begin to dot the landscape: a golden-haired girl chased by three bears, a trio of pigs each toting a bundle of different building materials. Not much to see.'' Careful scrutiny of the pictures, however, contradicts the verse. A boy and his parents move to a new house where it seems there's ``Not much to do. A refreshingly simple concept and clever delivery yield a lively picture book perfectly pitched to preschoolers.

The Robe of Skulls by Vivian French